How to Make Plastic Grocery Bag Holders Out of Dish Towels

Reusing plastic grocery bags is good for the environment and it's simply convenient. Some stores even offer a discount if you bring your own bags. With a few minutes and a sewing machine, a novice seamstress can turn an ordinary dish towel into a grocery bag holder that will keep things neat and organized and ensure that you always have a bag handy when you need it. This project is easy to match to your decor and show off your personality.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dish towel
• 14 inches of 1/4-inch elastic
• 10 inches of 1/2-inch ribbon in a color that coordinates with the towel
• Disappearing marker or chalk

1. Using a disappearing marker or chalk, draw a horizontal line across the towel (from long edge to long edge) about 1.5 inches from each end of the towel.

2. Cut two 7-inch strips of 1/4-inch elastic.

3. Place each piece of elastic over the chalk lines and pin or tack down the ends.

4. Stretch the elastic as you sew across the width of the towel. Use the chalk lines as a guide to keep the seams straight. For best results, use a 3-step zigzag stitch if your machine has this feature. Otherwise, use a long, narrow zigzag stitch to sew the elastic.

5. Fold the towel in half lengthwise with the elastic facing out and sew a 1/2-inch seam up the long edge.

6. Fold a 10-inch piece of 1/2-inch ribbon in half to form a loop that the bag will hang from. Sew the ends of the ribbon loop just above the elastic on the top of the bag.

7. Turn the bag right side out and fill with plastic grocery bags.

Tips & Warnings

• A flour sack or other woven towels work well for this project. Before sewing the grocery bag holder together, paint, embroider or applique the center of the towel to personalize the project. Add ribbon loops to both ends of the bag holder to make it hang horizontally. As an alternative, attach one end of the ribbon to the inside of the bag holder. Put a snap on the outside of the bag holder and the free end of the ribbon. This will allow you to hang the bag holder on a draw or refrigerator door handle.